Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) batting coach and mentor Dinesh Karthik isn't bothered about his team's crushing six-wicket defeat against Rajasthan Royals (RR), instead praised the squad's character for showing mental toughness in a challenging environment.
You're not going to win every game: Dinesh Karthik after RCB lost to RR
In his assessment of the performance, Karthik noted that the pitch conditions were particularly difficult for the batters. He highlighted that, given the tricky nature of the surface, the total posted by the team was actually an impressive feat, showcasing their ability to compete even when the odds were stacked against them
"It's important to understand that in a tournament like the IPL, it's a marathon; you're not going to win every game. But if the team keeps showing character, keeps fighting, that's how you excel. I felt the pitch was not that easy to bat on. It wasn't really coming on, and Dev's dismissal just showed that the pitch was sticking. In spite of all the challenges that we had, to get to the score that we did was a wonderful effort," Karthik said after the match.
Rajat Patidar was special: Karthik
Karthik reserved special praise for Rajat Patidar, specifically highlighting the batsman's impressive array of shots. He noted that Patidar's ability to find boundaries and execute technically sound strokes was a key positive for the team's offensive effort. Beyond just physical skill, Karthik also drew attention to Patidar’s temperament. He commended the way the player maintained his composure and stayed mentally focused.
"Rajat Patidar was special. It's great to see him play so well, not just in terms of shot-making but also in understanding the situation of the game. The way he made sure he was there almost right till the end shows his character. We are very happy as a group to see how well he reacted to that tough situation," he added.
RCB will next face Mumbai Indians (MI) on April 12 at the Wankhede stadium.